President Donald Trump told a crowd in Arizona earlier this week regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement talks that “I don’t think we can make a deal,” putting billions of dollars of agricultural exports in jeopardy. However, Reuters says Mexico and Canada dismissed Trump’s threat, describing it as a negotiating tactic designed to gain an advantage during the negotiation …
First Round of NAFTA Talks Conclude
The first round of talks between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, ended last week with all three sides saying they’re committed to getting negotiations done as quickly as possible. The next round of talks is scheduled for September 1-5 in Mexico. Talks then move to Canada in late September before coming back to America in October. Bloomberg says a joint …
Next Rounds of NAFTA Talks are Already Scheduled
While the first round of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) aren’t done yet, the next two rounds are already on the schedule. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says negotiators will head to Mexico City for the next round of talks September 1-5 and to a yet undetermined location in Canada September 23-27. Only 11 days go …
Agriculture’s ‘Do No Harm’ Message Getting Through?
Agriculture’s ‘do no harm’ message to those renegotiating NAFTA seems to be getting through…but will it bear fruit? American Farm Bureau trade adviser Dave Salmonsen says a joint letter from AFBF and the Canadian and Mexican farm associations to their respective governments, is getting the message across But while the negotiators say publicly they seek to preserve the pact’s gains …
Not All Ag Groups Happy with Direction of NAFTA Talks
A handful of farm groups says the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation goals favor corporate agribusiness over family farmers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Politico reports that a coalition of farm groups argues that increasing exports won’t replace the need for fair prices in disputes such as the one over Canada’s dairy supply management system, along with eliminating …
U.S., Canadian and Mexican Farm Groups Support Modernized NAFTA
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Mexico’s Consejo Nacional Agropecuario (CNA) sent a joint letter to Canadian, the United States, and Mexican government officials reiterating their calls that NAFTA renegotiations should aim to modernize the agreement, rather than dismantle it. The AFBF, CFA, and CNA agree that agriculture represents one of NAFTA’s biggest success …
Canada Bringing Guarded Optimism to NAFTA Talks
Canada is bringing a mix of optimism and dread at the thought of damaging its most important trading relationship as the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations begin this week. The Washington Post reports Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently spoke to the National Governors Association conference in July, making a pitch for free trade. Trudeau told the governors, “Free …
Trump Wants Produce Dumping Protection in NAFTA 2.0
As NAFTA renegotiations begin on Wednesday, U.S. negotiators are planning to introduce a proposal aimed at making it easier for produce growers to bring potential anti-dumping cases against Mexico. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says that’s a move that will make Southeast growers happy, but it could also fuel criticism of the Trump administration’s protectionism. The proposal would make it easier …
NAFTA Renegotiations Start Wednesday
The renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) get underway on August 16th. Canada, Mexico, and the United States can sit down at a table to update the 20-year-old agreement. Former Chief Agricultural Trade Negotiator Darci Vetter said the upcoming negotiations represent an opportunity for needed updates to the agreement. Vetter talks about certain parts of NAFTA that …
National Potato Council on Continued Mexican Potato Ban
A Mexican judge recently made a decision to continue the ban on importing U.S. potatoes into most of Mexico. Imports are currently allowed in land close to the U.S. – Mexican border but are prohibited from going further into the country. The NPC says the ruling ignores science and interferes with the role of the Mexican plant health regulatory authority. …